Spring Makeup

Spring makeup has long had a relationship with shine: glossy lips, lacquered nails, gleaming tresses, and glowing skin. But this season, an unexpected matte look puts the high polish archetype on spin-cycle with absolutely-no-shimmer lips, eyes, nails, and skin....and we kind of love it! Thankfully, these products are far from boringly flat; instead, the effect is versatile and minimalist-cool with elegant neutrals and edgy brushed metals (perfect for those who eschew glitter). As if the warmer weather wasn't enough, we're besotted with truly wearable reasons to dull things down this spring.

Matte Trick: Givenchy did the matte makeup look for their spring 2010 show, photo via Style.com.

Peek Season: Sephora's single color matte shadow is highly pigmented and perfect for a simple lid-sweeping wash or high-impact blending. Sephora Colorful Mono Eyeshadow in Caffe Latte, $12, available at Sephora.

About Face: A just-powdered complexion is certainly chicer than a greasy mug. Combat shine throughout the day with oil-controlling gel (worn under makeup) or on-the-go oil-absorbing sheets. Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, $5.99, available at Drugstore.com; Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying, $27, available at Laura Mercier.

Kiss and Tell: Makeup artist Dick Page used a delicate pink, matte lip at Zero + Maria Cornejo's fall show to contrast the collection's tough style. Shiseido's new matte lipstick has added moisture for easy application and also contains their Smoothing Matte Powder that attracts oil and fills in lines. Tip: exfoliate lips before applying, and dab lipstick on with fingers for perfect coverage. Shiseido Perfect Rogue Matte Lipstick in Whisper, $25, available at Macys. Zero + Maria Cornejo backstage.

Nail It: Matte nails have surged in popularity, yet Orly's Metal Chic collection—with brushed nickel, gold or copper finishes—is a first to the market and free of DBP and all traces of toluene, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde resin. Orly Solid Gold, $7.50 each, available at Orly Beauty.